Orlando Pirates duo yearning to face their old club Maritzburg

Both Orlando Pirates and Maritzburg United will be keen to get back to winning ways when they meet in a DStv Premiership clash at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

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Both sides are without a victory in their last two league games, Pirates losing to Mamelodi Sundowns and drawing with Cape Town City, while Maritzburg have slipped to away defeats at Royal AM and SuperSport United.

This will be the first time Pirates’ Bandile Shandu and Kwanda Mngonyama have a chance to go up against their former side after signing for the Buccaneers prior to the start of the season.

Shandu and Mngonyama were key figures in the Team of Choice squad, and Shandu has immediately made himself an important player in the Bucs team, having featured for the Soweto giants in seven matches, with one assist to his name.

The 26-year-old right-back, who is also able to play as a winger, is likely to be part of the Pirates defence that will be entrusted with trying to stop the dangerous Maritzburg attacking duo of Amadou Soukouna and Bafana Bafana striker Bongokuhle Hlongwane.

Mngonyama, meanwhile, who recently made his debut for the Soweto giants in their Caf Confederation Cup tie against Diables Noirs, will be hoping for another chance in Pirates colours after putting in a solid performance at centre back, as Pirates got a goalless draw in Brazzaville in the first leg of their group stage qualifier.

“I was prepared and I have been waiting for this chance,” said Mngonyama.

“Obviously the squad is huge, so each and every chance you get you need to deliver for the club.”

There is tough competition in the Pirates centre-back position though, with Nigerian Olisa Ndah and Thulani Hlatshwayo also eagerly waiting for their chance to partner skipper Happy Jele.